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Tuckasegee River Fly Fishing
The tailwaters river begins in the higher peaks of Western North Carolina from several tributary streams and unseen branches which merge into two forks that are dammed by Cedar Cliff Lake and Bear Creek Lake. The dam discharges cold water to provide trout with a perfect ecosystem throughout the year. The cold water creates a natural habitat for trout year round and especially through early fall through early summer.
The Tuck includes popular Delayed Harvest sections in Cullowhee and Bryson city. Both stretches are approximately 5-7 miles long. This section is stocked with brook, rainbow and brown trout. The delayed harvest section offers anglers the ability to wade for trout in a medium sized river when river levels are down, before the surge of water comes from dam control. Our float trips are the most popular for fly fishing the Tuckasegee.
Where To Fish
There are two forks of the river – East and West – coming together a couple miles downstream. In these smaller creeks you will find wild browns and wild rainbows.
On down to the main channel of the Tuck is where some of the bigger fish are typically caught. Common floats are in Slyva and Dillsboro where there are more trout per mile than any other river in WNC. The river provides anglers with shallow eddies and deep pockets for trout to hide. Typically if trout are not rising streamers or wet flies will be used to fish for trout in deeper pockets. If the river is low we recommend fishing for rising fish for an explosive dry fly bite.
How To Fly Fish the Tuckasegee
There are many popular techniques for chasing after trophy trout in the Tuckasegee River. The most popular method for fly fishing for trout on the Tuck is the double nymph rig or bobber rig method. This allows you to target deeper fish in big pools and deep pockets. The double nymph rig will work two water columns, increasing your chance at catching fish.
On cold and rainy days, streamer patterns work well for imitating a war paint minnow or another baitfish. These types of flies are commonly known to catch trophy fish. Stripping fly line for trophy trout is one of our favorite patterns to use when fishing the Tuck. Learn how to fish the Tuckasegee River with our guides while catching trophy trout.
Spin fishing for trout is also very popular. We recommend using light action rods with 1000 – 2000 series reels that have no more than 10lb. test monofilament fishing line and no less than 6lb. test monofilament line.
The tailwaters river begins in the higher peaks of Western North Carolina from several tributary streams and unseen branches which merge into two forks that are dammed by Cedar Cliff Lake and Bear Creek Lake. The dam discharges cold water to provide trout with a perfect ecosystem throughout the year. The cold water creates a natural habitat for trout year round and especially through early fall through early summer.